With the transfer of 7, 922 acres of provincial land to the federal government in early November, the Nisichawayasihk Cree Nation (NCN) is one step closer in its 12-year process winning back land owed to them. But it is still unknown when the band will actually see any of the land and economic deals made with the band.

Provinces don’t have the authority to hand land over; only the federal government does. Manitoba has fulfilled its portion of the transaction by transferring the land to the federal government. The NCN is left to wait an indefinite period until the federal government completes its transfer.

The 12-year gap between the initial stages of the transfer and the completion of the first transfer has already presented financial problems for the NCN.

The land being transferred is listed as “addition to reserve” (ATR), which is specifically for economic growth. Business proposals are required before the process can begin.

Twelve years of inflation before a business plan can be implemented is problematic.

“ While we’re waiting here, everything else goes up in price.

Jim Moore, chief of Nisichawayasihk Cree Nation

“While we’re waiting here, everything else goes up in price,” said NCN chief Jim Moore. “Even if they were made three to five years ago, business plans are affected ... As we speak, it’s costing money.”

In addition, land must be surveyed and approved prior to transfer. The annual budget for land surveying doesn’t always allow for all of the entitled land to be surveyed within a specific time frame. Surveying can only be done during certain seasons.

There is also a shortage of qualified surveyors, said aboriginal and northern affairs senior agreements co-ordinator Robert Wavey.

Land transfers are complicated, due chiefly to prior land claims, according to Wavey.

“In this particular case, NCN makes land selections and some [land] will have third-party interests,” said Wavey. “If, for example, a First Nations chose land, there could be mining claims. [Another] third party interest could be a lodge.”

The recent land transfer is in addition to 25, 894 acres previously transferred for the NCN.

According to a provincial press release, “the remaining Crown land entitlement for the NCN is just under 27, 945 acres, for a total commitment of 61, 761 acres.”

Published in Volume 64, Number 13 of The Uniter (November 26, 2009)